Day 334 - Mile 317

Brrrrr it's cold! There was more snow last night and it's getting deep!

I tried to get a mile in last night by going swimming. I arrived at 6.05, was told that someone was sick and that they were re-opening the pool at 6.30. So I had a drink and watched them clean up the sick - a odd process. At 6.30 we were told to go home! Ahhh I really wanted to swim! but I called Helena and popped in to see them all so the evening wasn't wasted!

I thought that I'd get out at lunchtime to walk a mile in the snow at work at lunchtime, but completely forgot until it was 3 o'clock - whoops! So I decided to get out and do a mile as soon as I got home.... at least I could walk knowing that I could come home and get warm.

Was really nice to walk in the snow, crunching away under foot with the dog walkers and people coming home from work. I know it may sound odd but I like the cars going slowly... it's odd but true... there is something quite pleasing about it.

The only sad thing about the walk was my wellies now have a hole in each - not leaking yet though so I have time to buy some new ones - hurrah!

A few pictures here...

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 332 - Part 2 - Mile 317

After arriving home for about 5 mins I was heading out the door again to go for a snowy wood walk with Nat and Captain the dog! It was a beautiful, really magical walk! I have to thank my folks for my love of this weather - my mum for her giddiness and my dad for teaching me how to drive in the snow!

We crisply walked through the hardening snow and the rustling leaves while Captain found all sorts of new and exciting things to smell, lick and generally get himself tied up in! A few other people were out making the most of the Sunday sun before we all head back to work tomorrow.

I was really pleased to be able to get out with my 'big' camera to take some shots having decided wrongly to take my 'little' camera away for the weekend... I won't make that mistake again! I got some great shots here....... thanks to Nat and Captian for their patience!

Then it was straight off again to the Advent service in Leeds Cathedral - beautiful singing and a beautiful building - quiet a religious weekend for me!

p.s. did I mention I love snow? woooooo hooooooo!!!!!!!!!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 332 - Miles 315-6

Hurrah for Ollie and Sarah! After a lovely day with them, their families and friends yesterday it was bliss to go out and explore Derby this morning. I was wandering the streets, admiring the architecture by 10 am.

The hotel that the wedding reception was held in is really close to the Cathedral in Derby so as I meandered through the streets and alleyways, the Cathedral bells played out a lovely relaxing tune to walk to. Yet another crisp and snow morning, I had to be wrapped up and booted to make sure that I didn't freeze on this glorious Sunday!

There are an amazing array of building in Derby. It seem that they have just been organically fitting into each other, different architectural styles and times. A really lovely place that I am sure I'll have to come back to to explore some more. What struck me more than anything was the sheer randomness of the shops... for example Laura Ashley is next to a charity shop and then Primark! A great hotch potch of shops!

Mainly building pictures here...

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 331 - Mile 314

Well what can I say, what a horrid couple of weeks. I had a dreadful cold and work has been really stressful, so I have been coming home and pretty much collapsing in a heap, before going to bed and starting again the next day.

I was so exited on Saturday, not only because it had snowed, but it was two very good friends of mine's wedding day - Hurrah for the new Mr and Mrs Snodgrass.

I decided to do a quick mile in the morning before getting ready to leave for Derbyshire. I donned my jeans and wellies and headed out in to the cold. It was great!!!!!!! I love the strangely quiet crunch of snow and the way that it seems to make the world fresh and clean! Just what I needed, a bit of peace and calm after another late night at work, and before the weekend's jollities!

Lovely snowy pictures here,

Love Iona x

365milesin365day@googlemail.com

Day 319 - Mile 313

I haven't swum for ages, and definitely not in a pool, so when I dived in tonight I was surprised at how good it felt. Obviously I love swimming and in the wild is much better, but water is water in my books and a pool will have to do until spring!

The light is great, reflecting and refracting off the bottom of the pool and soon I was into a good rhythm. One front crawl, one breast stroke........ easy! Even though I was in the fast lane, it was quiet a relaxing swim and not too strenuous.

It was made a bit easier by the cute man in camo shorts who was swimming too.... maybe I'll make swimming a Monday tradition!

Photos here...

Love Iona x

365milein365days@googlemail.com

Day 317 - Miles 305 - 312

After a very wet and windy week, Trina and I had toyed with the idea of walking into town to go to the German Market on it's first weekend of opening. Last night didn't look too hopeful for our walk today as it was absolutely soaking wet when we went to the theatre with Helena and Nat!

Up early and the weather looked ok, so I text Trina and we were set...... by the time I had picked her up it was raining again! We decided to walk a bit along the canal and we could always turn back if the weather didn't get any better.

It's 6.25 miles from Rodley to Leeds along the canal, and what a great walk it is. After the initial downpour the weather lifted to light showers and lots of sunshine when we got to town. It's really interested to see a part of town which I know so well but from a different perspective. The back of Kirkstall Abbey, past the marina, Armley Mills, under lots of bridges before hitting the centre of town. At one point the canal is being "fixed", so it has had most of the water taken out, it looks very bizarre!

The light was great after the rain had finished so I managed to get lots of good pictures along the canal and some great pictures of town and the market. I don't think I have looked up enough at the buildings in Leeds. Take a look at them here.....

After our lunch and shop Trina wanted to try "Appy Feet", where you plunge your feet into fish tanks and they eat the dead skin off your feet. A bit like a pedicure with fish! Trina has wanted to do this for ages, but nearly screamed the place down when the fish actually started to eat her feet! It was a surreal but enjoyable experience and I would recommend it - honest!

Off out to thanksgiving dinner tonight, yummy!!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 313 - Mile 304

Monday morning blues meant that I didn't get out of bed until the last possible minute yesterday, hence to walk or jog!

After digging over the compost at the weekend I have pulled a muscle in my leg, so it was a brisk walk this morning rather then a jog! It all started out ok, a bit cold but the rain was holding off! Feeling happy that I had got out of bed, I got into a good stride and was soon at the park........ where the heavens opened and I got very wet for about 5 mins as I crossed the park.

As soon as I had exited the park and was on the main road, the rain had stopped and the wind had dropped, so that the bit before home was nice and walk in comparison!

Will upload the photos later,

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com